1995 Honda Civic Mechanical Repairs

Tiny
5DAWGS4CATS
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 180,000 MILES
Started out that I noticed oil leaks on driveway. Took to mechanic. He changed oil and said it was due to leaking valve. Replaced that. Then had to take it back because it was smoking really bad. Said it needed a new timing chain, etc becuse it was at the 180K mark, so he replaced the water heater, etc. And supposedly fixed the oil leak. Tonight started it up after it has been sitting for a few weeks, and there is the smell of oil on the motor again, I have taken it back to him to test the tightness of the head gasket, and he said it was fine, but there is fresh oil slung over the motor, and the oil stick was dry as was the radiator stick. What do I do now? Are there any warranties on work over 60 days old or am I just stuck now? I had no problems before all of the oil was on the driveway in the first place and I thought it was just going to be a leaking gasket like he said, but now 4 trips later and looks like its going to be another one tomorrow what do I ask him to look at or do? Do I have a right to my money back or what?
Monday, July 6th, 2009 AT 11:55 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
BUDDYCRAIGG
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,262 POSTS
Look at your paper work for what their warranty period is. (If there isn't anything on the paperwork, have a friend call and ask, that way they will not reconize your voice. And you would have a witness in court)

I have worked at shops that have a 30 day warranty,
a 180 day warranty, and a 12 month/12,000 mile warranty.
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Tuesday, July 7th, 2009 AT 12:31 AM
Tiny
5DAWGS4CATS
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So if the water heater; timing belt; oil gasket; etc has been replaced and repaired, then why is the car still leaking oil? Why am I still smelling oil and why is the car smoking oil? Why would the water not be in the radiator?
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Tuesday, July 7th, 2009 AT 12:37 AM
Tiny
BUDDYCRAIGG
  • MECHANIC
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I will try to answer your questions as best as I can.
There is nothing on a car called a "water heater" or an "oil gasket" so i'm do not know what items have been replaced.

Probably because it has an oil leak.
There are around 10 places on most engines that can leak oil. I can not tell by the information you have given me, what has been replace. Or if it was replaced correctly.

Because it's still is leaking somewhere, or wasn't filled up after it was worked on.
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Tuesday, July 7th, 2009 AT 12:46 AM
Tiny
5DAWGS4CATS
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Head gasket, maybe leaking there, water pump was replaced, (sorry I called it water heater) timing belt; then it was leaking oil so he replaced the head gasket, but it is still leaking oil. And thats what I cant figure out. Thats what I was about, why would it still be leaking oil if all has been replaced?
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Tuesday, July 7th, 2009 AT 1:06 AM
Tiny
BUDDYCRAIGG
  • MECHANIC
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Then it's still leaking water somewhere, or was not filled at the time of the repair.

Because it's leaking oil someplace else, or the repair was not done correctly
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Tuesday, July 7th, 2009 AT 1:31 AM
Tiny
5DAWGS4CATS
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So if I take the car in originally and it is diagnosed with an oil leak that is coming from the head gasket or whatever, and it is replaced, but it isnt the head gasket, or if it is not done correctly and I still have the original problem, then do I have recourse as in do I have to repay for the same job to be redone or is he still liable for the original payment that I gave him to fix the problem. Hes the one that told me it was the head gasket. He is the mechanic, so if he tells me that the car is leaking oil due to a head gasket leak, etc and blowing oil on the motor due to that, then I believe him and pay for that repair. Then if it isnt fixed, he should repair it and not charge me. Correct?
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Tuesday, July 7th, 2009 AT 2:33 AM
Tiny
BUDDYCRAIGG
  • MECHANIC
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You will have to take this up with the repair shop that did the work.

But I want to mention something, the head gasket may have been a very bad leak. And that was repaired, there may have been a mild leak somewhere else that they couldn't diagnose because the head gasket leak was so bad.

But I still don't understand why your coolant system was low/empty.
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Tuesday, July 7th, 2009 AT 2:55 AM

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